Monday, 31 October 2022
Sunday, 16 October 2022
Happy Re-Reunion
Until recently, the video above was available on YouTube. It appears to have been taken down. This is a shame. I am therefore posting the video here. No copyright infringement is intended but this particular luminous and sublime performance of Happy Reunion by Paul Gonsalves and Duke Ellington should be available freely and always for everyone.
The performance took place on 21 July, 1972 at the University of Wisconsin as part of an Ellington masterclass. The story behind the video is the subject of the next Tone Parallel newsletter which, all being well, will be winging its way to subscribers later this month.
I will post detail here when the newsletter is ready.
Monday, 3 October 2022
Live: October 2022
11 October 2022
Duke Orchestra Laurent Mignard
19:30 (CET) Orange Bleu, 7 Rue Jean Mermoz, 95600 Eaubonne, France
Admission Free
Details here.
La Maison du Duke:
Conférence-Concert La Créativité d’Ellington entre chefs-d’œuvre & medleys
« La Créativité d’Ellington, entre chefs d’oeuvre & medleys »
par Leïla Olivesi & le Big Band du Xème dirigé par Pascal Gaubert
Lundi 17 octobre à 19h30 au conservatoire Hector Berlioz
6 Rue Pierre Bullet, 75010 Paris
Dans le cadre du partenariat Conservatoire Hector Berlioz & Maison du Duke
Duke Ellington a fait preuve d’une créativité spectaculaire pendant les cinquante années au cours desquelles il a dirigé son orchestre avec un répertoire toujours en mouvement. Au cours de cette conférence illustrée par les performances du big band du conservatoire Xème, dirigé par Pascal Gaubert depuis 25 ans, la pianiste et compositrice Leïla Olivesi tentera de percer les secrets de l’évolution de la musique d’Ellington ainsi que le rôle des medleys dans ses concerts. Un parcours qui nous mènera de la Black and Tan Fantasy à la Liberian Suite en passant par les éternels Cotton Tail et Sophisticated Lady.
Details here.
Saturday, 1 October 2022
Ever Up and Onward...
From Colburn School...
Ever Up and Onward
A Tribute to Billy Strayhorn
A virtuoso pianist, lyricist, and orchestrator, Billy Strayhorn was a pioneer of the modern big band sound. His 28-year collaboration with Duke Ellington left a significant mark on Ellington’s musical identity and brand. In this eight-part video series, bassist and Colburn Conservatory alumnus Marlon Martinez explores the life, legacy, and music of this jazz icon.
Ever Up and Onward presents an in-depth portrait of Billy Strayhorn through interviews, audio recordings, archival video footage, in-depth analysis of musical characteristics, and performanceswith the Marlonius Jazz Orchestra.
Special thanks to the Billy Strayhorn Foundation for its invaluable support of this project.
Episode 1: Who is Billy Strayhorn?
Meet composer and arranger Billy Strayhorn, who composed some of the greatest jazz standards of the mid-20th century and was a fierce advocate for the advancement of Black music and musicians.
Episode 2: Billy Strayhorn’s Musical Style
Explore Billy Strayhorn’s pioneering style of the big band era, in which he brought a complexity and progressive touch to melody, orchestration, harmony, lyrics, and compositional form.
Episode 3: Billy Strayhorn’s Musical Footprint
Explore signature techniques of Billy Strayhorn’s music that inspired countless legends with forward-thinking melodies, chord progressions and orchestrations.
Episode 4: Billy Strayhorn’s Approach to Structure
Discover how Billy Strayhorn’s formal training in classical music influenced his compositional style.
Episode 5: Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington’s Collaboration
Learn about the collaboration between Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn that spanned almost 3 decades, resulting in some of the greatest compositions in jazz history.
Episode 6: Uncredited Billy Strayhorn
Discover why Billy Strayhorn was lesser known and often uncredited, despite having written about 40% of Duke Ellington’s music.
Episode 7: Artistic Choices Made by Duke
Explore artistic choices made by Duke Ellington that changed or deleted some of Billy Strayhorn’s compositional elements in favour of a performance moment or particular player’s personality.
Episode 8: Billy Strayhorn’s Legacy
Learn how Billy Strayhorn elevated Black American music and paved the way for countless BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists.
Marlon Martinez and the Marlonius Jazz Orchestra
Jazz virtuoso bassist and Colburn Conservatory alumnus Marlon Martinez presents a tribute to Billy Strayhorn, emceed by Classical KUSC announcer Alan Chapman.
Jazz virtuoso bassist and Colburn Conservatory alumnus Marlon Martinez presents a tribute to jazz icon Billy Strayhorn. In a concert emceed by Classical KUSC announcer Alan Chapman, Marlon’s big band Marlonius Jazz Orchestra will revive lesser known and newly discovered works. The program includes tunes like Take the 'A' Train, Rhapsody in Blue, Chelsea Bridge, Pretty Girl, and more.
Also on the program is a filmed work, choreographed by Colburn Dance Dean and Amplify artist Silas Farley. The ballet is set to significant recordings of piano pieces by Strayhorn.
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